This had me hooked from the first line: "...blinking felt like sliding eyelids over frozen marbles" is one of the most unique and perfect ways to describe the cold I've ever read. The casual cruelty of the shop assistants chasing the (possibly) homeless woman back out into the cold was a real gut-punch and exactly the kind of thing we've all seen a thousand times. The ending was beautiful: an act of kindness absorbed by the winter snows - unobserved but all the more precious for it. I don't read you work as regularly as I should, but every time I do, I'm delighted to find such a subtle mastery of emotion and imagery.
Just coming back on here to comment. I read this a couple of days ago but it’s stayed with me. The kind of writing where there’s nothing hugely complicated going on but somehow it keeps on working after you’ve read it. So, great storytelling too 🤗
I'm running out of words to tell you how much I like your writing. You genuinely make me think I'm reading a published book, you have the ability of writing both short stories and what look like chapters of a novel, such as this one. I'm left craving more: who is narrating, what is her (?) life like, where was she going, did she ever find the woman again? For the love of everything good in this world: keep writing, Alexandra :)
Amelia, your comments are art and gold. I'm happy and also relieved that you liked this story. It's not so positive or magical as other ones, so I thought maybe it wouldn't be something that you liked. Thank you so much for your kindness and your support!
I like many types of stories, from romance to science-fiction, from fantasy to realism! As long as they're well written, which yours always happen to be.
Great piece, Alexandra. Your descriptions here sing. Loved the eyelids sliding over marbles. The atmosphere is fantastic. I also really liked the ambiguous ending, leaving us with a feeling of melancholy rather than a neat resolution. Thank you for sharing this.
Compelling. Thank you for this. It makes me wonder — rather than automatically reaching to help, should we first ask what kind (or whether) help is needed? Or wanted? Her need seemed obvious. But maybe that’s what the fossil was here to teach us.🤔 and btw, your view is beautiful. Thank you for sharing that with us too.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Olivia. I loved how in the way you phrased it, the gap between what's needed and what's wanted becomes so visible. The fossil has been there for a reason, that's for sure.
I'm happy you enjoyed the view :) It was hard to choose one this time.
Lucky girl. My daily view is a hodgepodge of apartments and houses bordering an industrial section of Cheyenne. But I’m on the second floor facing east, so I get to see some amazing sunrises. Thank you again for sharing this with us. I hope you can lay your fossil to rest.
This had me hooked from the first line: "...blinking felt like sliding eyelids over frozen marbles" is one of the most unique and perfect ways to describe the cold I've ever read. The casual cruelty of the shop assistants chasing the (possibly) homeless woman back out into the cold was a real gut-punch and exactly the kind of thing we've all seen a thousand times. The ending was beautiful: an act of kindness absorbed by the winter snows - unobserved but all the more precious for it. I don't read you work as regularly as I should, but every time I do, I'm delighted to find such a subtle mastery of emotion and imagery.
Thank you for your kind comment, Paul, and for your thoughtful reading. It means a lot to me.
You’re very welcome. You write beautiful, meditative fiction and I’m more than happy to read it and say how finely-wrought it is!
This was heartfelt and touching.
Thank you, Maria 😊
Just coming back on here to comment. I read this a couple of days ago but it’s stayed with me. The kind of writing where there’s nothing hugely complicated going on but somehow it keeps on working after you’ve read it. So, great storytelling too 🤗
Your comment means a lot to me, Jessie. Thank you for letting me know!
I'm running out of words to tell you how much I like your writing. You genuinely make me think I'm reading a published book, you have the ability of writing both short stories and what look like chapters of a novel, such as this one. I'm left craving more: who is narrating, what is her (?) life like, where was she going, did she ever find the woman again? For the love of everything good in this world: keep writing, Alexandra :)
Amelia, your comments are art and gold. I'm happy and also relieved that you liked this story. It's not so positive or magical as other ones, so I thought maybe it wouldn't be something that you liked. Thank you so much for your kindness and your support!
Yayyy :)
I like many types of stories, from romance to science-fiction, from fantasy to realism! As long as they're well written, which yours always happen to be.
A sad but all too common vignette. What was your inspiration here?
Great piece, Alexandra. Your descriptions here sing. Loved the eyelids sliding over marbles. The atmosphere is fantastic. I also really liked the ambiguous ending, leaving us with a feeling of melancholy rather than a neat resolution. Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you, Stefan! I'm happy that the ending worked. I wanted to steer the story away from something obvious.
Compelling. Thank you for this. It makes me wonder — rather than automatically reaching to help, should we first ask what kind (or whether) help is needed? Or wanted? Her need seemed obvious. But maybe that’s what the fossil was here to teach us.🤔 and btw, your view is beautiful. Thank you for sharing that with us too.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Olivia. I loved how in the way you phrased it, the gap between what's needed and what's wanted becomes so visible. The fossil has been there for a reason, that's for sure.
I'm happy you enjoyed the view :) It was hard to choose one this time.
Lucky girl. My daily view is a hodgepodge of apartments and houses bordering an industrial section of Cheyenne. But I’m on the second floor facing east, so I get to see some amazing sunrises. Thank you again for sharing this with us. I hope you can lay your fossil to rest.
The sunrises sound beautiful!
Yeah, the fossil is transformed now :)
Thank you.
Yayayay!!!💕